title: Rats with metabolic syndrome resist the protective effects of N-acetyl l-cystein against impaired spermatogenesis induced by high-phosphorus/zinc-free diet.
abstract: Consumption of relatively high amounts of processed food can result in abnormal nutritional status, such as zinc deficiency or phosphorus excess. Moreover, hyperphosphatemia and hypozincemia are found in some patients with diabetic nephropathy and metabolic syndrome. The present study investigated the effects of high-phosphorus/zinc-free diet on the reproductive function of spontaneously hypertensive rats/NDmcr-cp (SHR/cp), a model of the metabolic syndrome. We also investigated the effects of antioxidant, N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), on testicular dysfunction under such conditions. Male SHR/cp and control rats (Wistar Kyoto rats, WKY) were divided into three groups; rats fed control diet (P 0.3%, w/w; Zn 0.2%, w/w), high-phosphorus and zinc-deficient diet (P 1.2%, w/w; Zn 0.0%, w/w) with vehicle, or high-phosphorus and zinc-deficient diet with NAC (1.5mg/g/day) for 12 weeks (n=6 or 8 rats/group). The weights of testis and epididymis were significantly reduced by high-phosphate/zinc-free diet in both SHR/cp and WKY. The same diet significantly reduced caudal epididymal sperm count and motility and induced histopathological changes in the testis in both strains. Treatment with NAC provided significant protection against the toxic effects of the diet on testicular function in WKY, but not in SHR/cp. The lack of the protective effects of NAC on impaired spermatogenesis in SHR/cp could be due to the more pronounced state of oxidative stress observed in these rats compared with WKY.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Functional Genomics, Life Science Research Center, Mie University, Tsu, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Gaku
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ichihara
authors.forename: Sheik Mohideen
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sahabudeen
authors.forename: Ai
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: Takanori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
authors.forename: Kyoko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Imanaka-Yoshida
authors.forename: Toshimichi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.forename: Yoshiji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Sahoko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ichihara
mesh_terms: D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects; D010758:Phosphorus; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D013076:Sperm Count; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D013733:Testicular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D010758:Phosphorus; D015032:Zinc; D000111:Acetylcysteine
keywords: Apoptosis; Metabolic syndrome; Oxidative stress; Testicular dysfunction